July 2nd arrived with a spark of good news that lit up the entire Epe Division, Hon. Mahruf Olumuyiwa Odunare has been elected as the new Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, representing Epe Constituency I. For many who know his journey, it wasn’t just an election, it was the rise of a humble youth leader whose footsteps have always echoed purpose and service.
Though this new title may be his biggest yet, Mahruf’s growth has been steady, organic, and impactful. His appointment followed the resignation of the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Soyiga Samuel from Ikorodu. According to him, “We were preparing for an election, but at the point of voting, the other contender stepped down.” That moment became a stepping stone into a new chapter, one that puts Epe’s youth at the heart of state-level representation.
But for those asking, “Who is Mahruf?” the answer is both simple and powerful: he is a servant-leader, not defined by position, but by purpose.
Raised in the historic town of Epe, Mahruf’s leadership story didn’t begin with titles. It began with a boy determined to make a difference. From the start, he was never one to sit back and wait, he leaned in, showed up, and offered himself to the service of others.
He first came to public attention as the President of the Young Leaders Accord, where he mobilized school leavers around civic awareness and personal development. His passion for youth engagement then found broader expression when he served as General Secretary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Epe Branch), a position that saw him champion youth inclusion and community development.
His leadership expanded beyond the borders of Epe when he worked as a Liaison Officer in the office of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East. There, he played a bridging role, connecting communities to the policies and interventions that mattered to them.
As a Member of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Hon. Mahruf did not come to warm the bench. He co-sponsored a powerful motion aimed at tackling youth street begging and improving enforcement on child protection. The motion didn’t just show his legislative strength, it showed his sensitivity to the real issues young people face daily.
In addition, as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, he has begun a quiet but meaningful campaign to make agriculture attractive to young people, linking innovation to food security and promoting agribusiness as a path to economic empowerment.
But perhaps, his most celebrated footprints remain back home in Epe. Through the Epe Girls Explorer Space, he helped equip over 300 girls with digital literacy, reproductive health knowledge, and exposure to STEM opportunities.
With the Epe Boys Safe Space, more than 500 young boys have received mentorship, leadership training, and life skills that would shape their future for good.
His mission, now as Deputy Speaker, is clear: not to shine, but to serve. In his own words: “This seat is not about ego, it is about empathy. Not about spotlight, but support. I do not come with noise. I come with a track record, a listening ear, and a willing heart.”
In a youth parliament that is fast becoming a beacon of hope, policy direction, and grassroots advocacy, Hon. Mahruf Olumuyiwa Odunare brings a rare combination of quiet competence and bold compassion.
Epe may have sent a representative to the Youth Parliament but Lagos has gained a reformer.
